Finance Videos

Mar 7, 2017 | 01:30

Premium cars get 'Formula One' makeover

Ford and Nissan, are displaying cars at the Geneva motor show that hint at a new ''Formula One-inspired'' high-performance in premium cars. As Sonia Legg reports, it's one way auto makers are trying to stand out in a crowded luxury automobile market.

TRANSCRIPT +

High speed, high performance... and environmentally friendly.
This concept car, Project Black S is from Infiniti - Nissan's premium brand.
Hoping to stand out from the crowd at this year's Geneva Motor Show, Infiniti is matching speed with a greener image.
Employing a hybrid-electric drive, it's engine is powerful and emissions are low.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRMAN AND CEO, RENAULT-NISSAN ALLIANCE, CARLOS GHOSN, SAYING:
"People have this impression that the environmentally friendly technology is a contradiction with performance. And we really are absolutely convinced of the contrary. That electric engines and plug in hybrids are extremely powerful."
The concept car is a collaboration between Infiniti and Nissan's alliance partner Renault, as well as its F1 racing team.
Another household brand going upmarket at this year's show is the Ford Fiesta.
Its ST model is a high performance version of one of Europe's most popular cars.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) Jim Farley, Chairman and CEO of Ford Europe, saying:
"How we keep evolving it is just making it better for customers. So the interior is larger now, we have more technology, we have an 8 inch flat screen inside now."
The auto industry is facing big changes with the rise of electric vehicles, automated driving and car sharing.
But as Ford are hoping to prove, it's not always about new models
Sometimes it's just about giving old favourites a bit of a facelift.

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